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Premise

Lyja has torn the Fantastic Four apart, and sent Johnny, Ben, Franklin and Valeria to the Negative Zone. They’re doing their best to find their way home, but they’re going to need help of a highly technical nature.

High Point

The depth of Johnny Storm’s plan.

Low Point

Putting the big emotional conversation here feels more like a loss of momentum than a gain of insight. The “reveal” was predictable, and the time taken to handle the conversation was significant. I think it would have helped to structure that conversation sooner so there would be an action sequence left to finish it off.

The Scores

This still feels original. It’s a fun jaunt with a foursome we’re not used to, and it’s well delivered. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is well done, mixing early action with later emotion. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is well written, holding together logically, incorporating a rather sordid history, and delivering new content entertainingly, all the while usefully tying in to the main event. Isn’t that was a series like this is all about? I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization is solid, showing everyone in an accurate and clear light, right down to the Tinkerer. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response was dulled only by the predictability of the conversation between Johnny and Lyja. Of course, it was only predictable because it played out exactly as I’d expect those particular characters to act, which goes right back to the characterization mentioned above. I give it 4 out of 6.

The flow is strong, tying the issues to each other, to the past, and to the main series, all while telling a fun story that actually moves forward nicely. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, it’s not quite as strong as the first two issues, but it still works well. I give it 5 out of 6.